Data elements for a data component are specified by creating a data type that includes several data elements, the data type to be used in creating data components for specific contexts. Each of the several data elements is associated with a harmonization indicator that causes the associated data element to be included, or not included, in the data components for any of the specific contexts. A method of performing a predefined operation on a data component includes receiving a user input specifying at least one context value for performing a predefined operation on a data component for a specific context characterized by the at least one context value. The predefined operation is performed using a harmonization indicator included in a data type that is context independent. Data components are used in software components or application components.